News Desk
ISLAMABAD: Ambassador Donald Blome inaugurated a US government-funded cultural preservation project at the Lahore Fort during his visit to Lahore.
With a grant of 982,500 dollars from the US Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP), seven sites at the Fort would be restored, including Loh Temple, Sikh temple, the famous picture wall, Zanana Masjid, Athdara pavilion, Sehdara pavilion, and technical work at the grand Sheesh Mahal.
Ambassador Blome said that the US Mission is proud to partner with the Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) and the Aga Khan Cultural Service-Pakistan for preservation of the magnificent Lahore Fort.
The Fort symbolizes the rich cultural, historical and religious heritage and diversity of Lahore, Punjab, and Pakistan.
Founded in 2001, the AFCP preserves historical and cultural treasures under threat from environmental pressure or lack of resources. The AFCP has so far funded more than 1,000 projects in 133 countries, including 32 cultural preservation projects across Pakistan at a total cost of 7.6 million dollars.
The restored sites include Hindu monuments, Sufi shrines, Buddhist monasteries, and relics of the Mughal era.
US ambassador pays respects to Pakistan’s cultural heritage
While touring the 7 sites at the Lahore Fort, the ambassador paid respects to Pakistan’s cultural heritage, commenting that these projects were a testament of the Pak-US joint commitment to cultural preservation.
Pakistan and US recently celebrated 75 years of bilateral relations and share a partnership based on common goals, people-to-people exchanges, and mutual interests. The ambassador said that this restoration project will strengthen people-to-people ties between the two countries and encourage economic growth and tourism.
“This US Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation project goes beyond stones and mortar. It is an investment in a stronger, more prosperous Pakistan. Preservation work strengthens communities, builds a sense of belonging, contributes to economic development, and educates future generations about the tremendous heritage of diversity and tolerance that has existed here for centuries,” added Ambassador Blome.
